What procedures do I need to follow to buy and install other IT equipment so it’s compatible with a LAN?

Question

My company is merging with another who is supplying the PC’s (15). What procedures do I need to follow to purchase and install other IT equipment so it’s compatible with their LAN. My company will still need to be connected to their parent company in another city

Answer 1

More than likely they are utilizing a Windows Server environment so just make sure the equipment is compatible with Windows.

Answer 2

This is a simple one- Most LAN equipment is STANDARD. Switches, Routers etc... The first thing is to make sure that your infrastructure can support the additional PC's ( enough ports on your switch to plug your extra PCs into and the cabling necessary also). If not buy another switch. Then if you have to connect two dissimilar networks, you need to get a router and configure it to handle two different subnets.(  layer three switches do this also so investigate). Then you need to know what OS the clients are running in the other company and make sure that it is compatible with the software that you are using on the client and server side. If NOT..and you find out that they are using windows 98 but for some of your apps you need XP the choice would be to invest in VMware( you can run multiple Operating systems on the same machine at the same time without having to shut down and boot each one separately. I also recommend VMware Server if your Server Apps Run on different OS also.

Answer 3

get some hubs/routers that will be compatible... i can't say much becuase you havent provided much. as to the first answer, you dont know this guy is running windows server, he could be running unix/linux... It wont matter which os its just the setting!!! i am using linux with a linksys router lables for Xp/Vista... i have a linux server that serves windows equipment. you shouldn't have to worry... just hook up the pcs to the routers/hubs. then the routers/hubs to the servers/other. you will have to use samba or something to connect to somewhere else in the world. add detailes plz :)

Answer 4

Coordinate directly with their IT department.

I'd suggest buying whatever they currently use and follow their configuration plan.  

It will make maintenance easier and virtually ensures full compatibility.

If that's not an option, then go with a VPN service to achieve reliable connectivity over the Internet.

Answer 5

The other company is already set up with their LAN, and WAN remotely to their parent company in the other city.

The simpelest solution is you only need to add more bridges or routers to be able to add your 15 pcs to their established network server.

If you want to continue to access your company files on your own server as well, then you'll need to assign different drive letters to each server.

Depending on the amount of space between computers, you'll need more ethernet cables, and boosters to connect all of the computers, and it would be better to make the wires invisible with covering strips or if you have the funds, make the computers wireless.

Here are diagrams of different configurations you may select and also instructions:

http://www.edrawsoft.com/Network-Diagram...

Don't forget that you must contact the Anti-Virus program provider and add on the extra computers.

I would like to recommend you go with AVAST Pro.  www.avast.com/

Come back if you need more help.

^j^

Answer 6

You need to compile a Research and Analysis document which will include the scope and introduction of the new network(s) and will define what the needs and requirements of both merging companies are and identify where bottlenecks may exist now.

You need to establish how you will do the following:-

Network topology and connectivity, speed

Back-up and disaster recovery

Security - Firewalls, VPN's, Extranets, UTM devices, Proxy servers, Malware prevention etc.

User and administrator rights

Maintenance, monitoring and updates

Upgradeability, future proofing.

Costing, suppliers and whether to buy or lease.

Software/licensing tracking

Until you do all this you are flying blind and only guessing what is required to build your network which cannot be done without expert knowledge or in the ad hoc way that you are implying in your question. You may require expert help on this one.

You need to establish security zones. The most secure being  your LAN/intranet and followed by the DMZ or Extranet where you can connect both the inner and outer Worlds and with mobile infectable devices and finally the least secure, internet.

I would recommend establishing an internal secure LAN in the parent company in another city and connect it to your office via a VPN tunnel which is highly secure.

Answer 7

You need to be sure the equipment you buy is IEEE 802.3 compliant.

The reason we have a worldwide standard(IEEE 802.3) is so that a LAN in Oscoloosa, Iowa USA can use the exact same hardware as a LAN in Tokyo, Japan and everywhere else too.

Until you actually receive the computers, you won't even be sure you need to buy anything at all.  The 15 computers may come equipped with Network Interface Cards when they arrive.   If they do, you won't need to install any hardware into them.  You may need to get an additional router or switch.

You may also need the consulting services of a certified network engineer at that point.